Striving to make a mark in
classical music
 Saturday, October 14, 2001

Sunanda Sharma, a vocalist in Hindustani classical music, is ready for the battle ahead. In a society overflowing with western music she has to make her mark as a classical singer. However her battle seems to be half won as she has a firm footing in clasical music after having done her training under Padmabhushan Dr. Girija Devi of Banaras Gharana, one of the living masters of Hindustani classical music.

Sunanda, after learning gayaki under Girija Devi in guru shishya parampara, has now settled in Paschim Vihar and is determined to stand out in her chosen field. Sunanda's initial training was under her father a renowned violinist from Patila Gharana.

  


She says, "I had a childhood fascination for the Banaras Gharana style of classical music. While performing at Hariballabh Samelan, Jalandhar, my guru Girija Devi heard me. After the performance she showed her desire to teach me".

Going to Banaras she devoted eight years in mastering classical music. Her determination proved fruitful and she soon mastered the nuances of Hindustani Gayaki like Khayal, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, Hori, and Kajri.

All set to conquer the world with her lilting voice, Sunanda glows when she gives a list of her success stories. She was invited to the generation Y2K series music programme in Britain where performed in Wales, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. In August this year she was invited as visiting professor to SOAS University, London. 'Indian Junior Chambers, Chandigarh', honoured Sunanda with the 'Outstanding Young Persons Award'. She is also an 'A' grade panel designated artist of 'Information and Broadcasting's Song and Drama Division' of Calcutta Centre and a panel artist for SPICMACAY.